Hi!

I've been using XviD4PSP quite some time now and I like it very much. One thing that's been wondering a bit is that at the encoding tab, there is this "quality" column, which is pointed out by numbers...eg. 0.214. Let's say this 0.214 is the quality number of the source file. With tweaking your output options, the quality number of the output file increases or decreases. Usually the number increases if you raise your bitrate. I've been doing 2-pass encodings with 4 Mbps bitrate using 720p material, and I'm quite happy with the quality. Though the quality number of the output file is a bit lower than the source's one, lets say 0.214 < 0.180. Theoretically the result file isn't as good as when it comes to quality, but practically the difference is so small you can't see it. The source file might have a bitrate of 4,5 Mbps, and the encoded one 4 Mbps. I've read that with 720p, the bitrate should be atleast 4 Mbps bitrate when encoding, so that's why i've been using that value.

The main question is, that is there a profounding way how should one interpret the quality number?